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The towns and villages that make up the borough of Wokingham in Berkshire, England were battered last night by one of the worst storms to hit the region in decades. Heavy winds gusting upwards of 100 mph uprooted trees, brought down power lines, and caused extensive flooding across the low-lying areas. Emergency services were inundated with calls reporting damage and were working through the night to ensure people's safety.
The storm began late Wednesday evening as rain started to pour down. Within an hour, the rain had intensified into a deluge and the strong winds began howling. Residents described it as sounding "like a freight train." As the night wore on, the full force of the storm was unleashed. Trees that had stood for hundreds of years were ripped from the ground, their massive roots tearing up turf and pavement. Power lines snapped under the pressure of the winds, bringing down live wires across roads.
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In the village of Twyford, the rising River Loddon burst its banks shortly after midnight. Water several feet deep quickly flooded homes in the low-lying areas near the river. Residents were forced to evacuate in the middle of the night, abandoning possessions as the cold, dark flood waters rose around them. The village resembled more of a lake by the early morning hours. Emergency services undertook several swift water rescues of residents trapped in homes that were almost completely submerged.
Other areas of Wokingham like Woodley and Earley also experienced significant flooding as drainage systems were overwhelmed by the deluge. Cars parked on the street were submerged or swept away. Numerous homes had rainwater pour in through windows and doors as the ground became saturated. Residents described trying desperately to sandbag their properties to hold back the rising water to no avail. Floodwaters had cut off access to some neighborhoods, trapping residents who had to be rescued by boat.
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As morning broke, the full extent of the damage became apparent. Roads were blocked by fallen trees, power lines, and rising waters. Entire neighborhoods were without electricity. Homes and businesses sustained water damage. The storm had blown debris across yards, parks, and playing fields. Rivers remained swollen and fast flowing, and further rainfall was predicted throughout the day, raising concerns of ongoing flooding.
Emergency services were stretched thin responding to reports of damage, flooding, and rescues. Police closed flooded roads and diverted traffic. Fire and Rescue crews attended numerous incidents of trees trapping people in homes or falling on vehicles. The Swan Rescue team assisted with evacuations and swift water rescues in Twyford and other flooded areas. Utility crews worked to make repairs to downed power lines, although many residents faced days without electricity.
Borough Council staff were also mobilized to help coordinate the response and recovery. Sandbag stations were set up to allow residents to protect their properties from further flooding. Councils in neighboring areas assisted with equipment like pumps and generators. The Environment Agency monitored river levels throughout the day with additional rainfall forecast. Temporary rest centers were set up in local schools and churches for evacuees.
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In the days since, recovery efforts have continued as residents clean up the damage in their homes and communities. Mud-caked carpets have been ripped out. Walls and floors stripped as wet drywall and insulation was removed. Gardens have been scoured of debris. Chainsaws have echoed through woods and green spaces as tree removal work takes place. Temporary Bailey bridges have been erected at locations where floods washed out roads and footbridges.
The local authorities have erected community centers and donation sites for items to aid those impacted. Local businesses have banded together to assist with donations of supplies, meals, and volunteer work crews. Neighbors have helped neighbors clear waterlogged belongings piled at the curbsides. A massive clean up is underway, but recovery could take weeks if not months in some of the hardest hit areas like parts of Twyford village.
As investigations get underway into the causes of the flooding, climate experts note that storms of such ferocity areconsistent with the predictions of climate change. Warmer global temperatures means the atmosphere holds more moisture, increasing rainfall amounts in downpours. Rising sea levels also reduce absorbency of water in the ground, increasing floodrisk inland. While storms are natural occurrences, climate change appears to be amplifying their dangers. It remains to be seen what recommendations may come out of the investigations to help mitigate future impacts on the community.
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For now, residents of Wokingham are thankful that the human toll was relatively light considering the scale of the destruction. Emergency services are praised for their swift response under difficult conditions. But the long process of recovery has just begun, as homes and infrastructure sustained damage that will take a monumental effort by the whole community working together to repair in the weeks and months ahead.
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